Fr. Clement Fuhl OSA Declared Venerable by the Holy Father

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish the decree regarding the heroic virtue of Father Clement Fuhl, OSA...

Venerable Clement Fuhl, OSA (1874-1935)

A life of heroic virtue

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to publish the decree regarding the heroic virtue of Father Clement Fuhl, OSA.

Monday, December 9, 2013, Pope Francis received in audience the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Among the many people of whom the Holy Father had to give his approval was the Augustinian priest, Clement Fuhl, OSA .

With this step , the Church brings the life of Clement Fuhl to the people of God, calling him " Venerable", giving testimony that our brother lived the theological and cardinal virtues, as well as the evangelical counsels in a heroic way.

The cause of Venerable Clement Fuhl began March 31, 1962, just 27 years after his death in Bolivia. The legal process ended September 9, 1965 . Aside from testimonies which came from Wurzburg (Germany), were testamonies from Spain, the United States of America and Italy. This demonstrates the widespread view on the sanctity of Venerable Clement Fuhl.

In March 1966, the process de non cultu and super scriptis were initiated. The validity of the process was declared in February 1995. Three years later he was given the recognition of Positio super vita, virtuitibus et fama sanctitatis.

A man of great faith and strong initiative, he gave himself totally for the good of the Order and the Church. The scholar, Fr. Francis Roth, OSA states : "Just to see him walking down the street fully united with God, looking neither to the right nor to the left, was a sermon on the necessity of union with God."

The process toward beatification will continue once a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Clement Fuhl is investigated and approved by the Church.

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE OF Ven. CLEMENTE Fuhl OSA

1874, June 18 Born in Aidhausen (Bavaria - Germany).
1874, June 19 Baptism in his parish church, receives the name of Vincent.
1886 Beginning of school studies in Münnerstadt .
1887, April 24 Received First Communion, Münnerstadt .
1888, May 16 Received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
1893, July 14 Completed high school in Münnerstadt .
1893, Sept. 17 Vested in the Augustinian habit at the convent in Münnerstadt, received the name of Clement.
1894, Sept. 18 Made his first profession in the Order.
1894-1897 Studied Philosophy and Theology in Würzburg.
1897, August 1 Ordained to the priesthood in Würzburg.
1899-1902 Responsible for the training of Augustinian Novices as Vice- Master and Secretary of the Province of Germany.
1902-1908 Dedicated to training novices as Master.
1908-1912 Master of professed students.
1912-1916 Appointed Prior of the community Münnerstadt.
1916-1918 Appointed sub-prior of the community Münnerstadt.
1918-1920 Chosen again as Provincial Secretary.
1919-1922 Master of the simply professed for the second time .
1920-1929 Elected for the first time Provincial of the German Province. He was reelected in 1924 and 1927.
1929 Traveled to the United States of America in August. While in the U.S. resigned from office of Prior Provincial, then received the mandate as Commissary Provincial.
1930, July Appointed as Definitor General of the Order.
1931 Returned to Europe to take part in the General Chapter.
1931, Sept. 26 Elected Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine.
1934, December Began a visit to the Augustinian community in South America (Brazil, Argentina , Peru, Chile and Bolivia).
1935, March 28 Felt ill during the trip and moved from Chile to Bolivia.
1935, March 31 Died while recouperating at the German clinic in La Paz, Bolivia
1935, April 1 Funeral was celebrated in the Cathedral of La Paz. His body was buried in a tomb of the Franciscan Recollect Fathers.
1953, July 16 The body was transported from La Paz (Bolivia) to Würzburg (Germany) where he was solemnly buried in the Augustinian Church of the city.